Morning News Links
NBA
Charles Barkley fired back at Kobe Bryant for saying that the 2012 USA Olympic basketball team could beat the "Dream Team" of the 1992 Olympics. "Other than Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, I don't think anybody else on that team makes our team," Barkley said. [ESPN]
Free agent Elton Brand is hoping that the Dallas Mavericks submit the winning bid to claim him off of amnesty waivers. The Philadelphia 76ers used their amnesty clause on the 33-year-old. [NBA.com]
The Mavericks have traded centre Ian Mahinmi to the Indiana Pacers for Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones. [Draft Express]
A phone call from Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant to Steve Nash on July 2 helped cement his decision to sign with the Lakers. "We only talked about moving forward and how he felt about this, how this could work and how we can win a championship," Nash said. [ESPN]
The Mavericks have agreed to a one-year deal with centre Chris Kaman. The team also plans to use their amnesty clause on centre Brendan Haywood. [AP]
New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson says that the team will "absolutely" match the Houston Rockets' four-year, $28.8 million offer sheet for Jeremy Lin. [ESPN]
The Houston Rockets are considering using their amnesty clause on forward Luis Scola in an attempt to free up enough cap space to make a trade for Orlando Magic centre Dwight Howard. [Houston Chronicle]
NHL
Newly-acquired Dallas Stars centre Derek Roy underwent shoulder surgery yesterday. He is expected to be out until November. [Dallas Morning News]
Unrestricted free agent goaltender Dan Ellis is in need of a job, so rather than wait for a call or email, he made one himself. Ellis emailed Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province to tell him what a good backup he would be for the Canucks, if Roberto Luongo gets traded. [Vancouver Province]
The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs announced the partial rosters for the alumni games at the upcoming Winter Classic. [The Score]
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo has survived to play another day at the World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas. Luongo ended yesterday's game sitting in 253rd place. [Vancouver Sun]
Dallas Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk expects captain Brenden Morrow to be on the team next season. [NHL.com]
The San Jose Sharks signed defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic to a five-year contract extension. [NHL.com]
New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, Ed Olczyk and Mike Modano were selected for induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. [NY Post]
The Florida Panthers signed forward Peter Mueller to a one-year, $1.725 million contract. Mueller has played just 32 games in the last two seasons due to injury. [RDS]
The Edmonton Oilers could attempt to work out a trade with the Calgary Flames to acquire defenceman Jay Bouwmeester. [Edmonton Journal]
The Ottawa Senators officially signed forward Chris Neil to a three-year contract extension. "I can't picture myself playing anywhere else," Neil said. [NHL.com]
NFL
The NFL has filed a grievance under the CBA against Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and the NFLPA, in an attempt to force Vilma to dismiss his defamation suit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. [Twitter]
The New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees are reportedly more than $10 million apart in guaranteed money, in their long-term contract discussions. The Saints have until Monday to sign Brees to a long-term contract. [ESPN]
MLB
New York Mets All-Star pitcher R.A. Dickey taught David Letterman how to throw a knuckleball on "The Late Show with David Letterman." [Video]
Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford will continue his rehab assignment on Thursday at Triple-A Pawtucket. Crawford has not played a single game this season with the Red Sox. [Boston Globe]
New York Mets pitcher Dillon Gee will undergo potentially season-ending surgery to repair a damaged artery in his throwing shoulder. [ESPN]
